What challenges do investigative agencies face in prosecuting long-pending cases involving absconders?

Investigative agencies often face significant hurdles when dealing with long-pending cases involving absconders. These challenges become even more complex as time passes, impacting the collection of evidence, witness availability, and the overall judicial process. The recent arrest in the 1989 Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case highlights these persistent difficulties.

1. Legal Challenges:
• Statute of Limitations: Although serious crimes may not have a limitation period, procedural delays can weaken the legal case.
• Loss of Evidence: Physical evidence may deteriorate, get lost, or become inadmissible over time.
• Witness Testimony: Witnesses may die, relocate, or forget crucial details, making their statements unreliable.
• Changing Laws: Amendments in laws or procedures can complicate the prosecution of old cases.

2. Logistical Challenges:
• Tracking Absconders: Absconders often change identities, locations, or use fake documents, making them hard to trace.
• International Jurisdictions: If the absconder is abroad, extradition involves lengthy diplomatic and legal processes.
• Resource Constraints: Investigative agencies may lack dedicated personnel or funds to pursue decades-old cases.
• Poor Record-Keeping: Old case files may be incomplete or lost, hampering fresh investigations.

3. Societal Challenges:
• Public Memory: With time, public interest fades, reducing societal pressure for swift justice.
• Victim and Family Fatigue: Victims and their families may lose hope or interest in pursuing the case.
• Political Interference: High-profile cases may attract political influence, affecting the impartiality of investigations.
• Social Changes: Changing social dynamics and priorities may shift focus away from old cases.